Classic Southern Traverse 2007

New Zealand's premier adventure race, the Classic Southern Traverse will be staged in the Hanmer Springs area over three days during mid-October 2007.

Thought to be the longest-running adventure event in the world, the Classic Southern Traverse is keenly anticipated by top adventure-racers from New Zealand and around the world.

This adventure race has a strong emphasis on navigation and orienteering, and challenges competitors in a range of disciplines including trekking, mountain biking and kayaking.

The Southern Traverse is open to teams of two or four, and this year entrants in the four-team category will compete for the overall Classic Southern Traverse title and free entry to the 2008 Adventure Racing World Championships in Brazil.

Southern Traverse Race Format

Since debuting in 1991, the Southern Traverse has taken athletes on challenging journeys through many spectacular parts of New Zealand, including the 'Deep South' of Tuatapere, the Southern Alps and as far north as Separation Point in Abel Tasman Park.

The format this year will be shorter, with an emphasis on navigation and a desire to avoid extreme physical exhaustion while still providing the popular night-time race element.

This year's Classic Southern Traverse is based on the original Southern Traverse from the early 1990s, and is a return to the expedition-style Southern Traverse with a twist of orienteering.

The course for this New Zealand adventure race covers more than 300 kilometres. Depending on the speed of the individual teams, the event could take up to 40-odd hours to complete over the three days of racing.

• Day One: 9am start. Features a rogaining/trekking stage and two mountain biking stages. Estimated racing of up to 12 hours.
• Day Two: Midnight start. Offering some great bush travel, river kayaking and mountain biking, as well as an ascent of two mountains. Estimated racing of up to 24 hours.
• Day Three: 6am start. Features the disciplines of mountain biking and running with an orienteering/rogaining twist which may allow some teams to improve their overall placing by gaining time bonuses. Six hours for all teams.

2007 Adventure Race Programme

• Race Registration and Gear Check: Thursday 11th October, 3pm - 6pm
• Race Briefing: Thursday 11th October, 7pm
• Start Day One: Friday 12th October, 9am
• Start Day Two: Saturday 13th October, Midnight
• Start Day Three: Sunday 14th October, 6am
• Post-Race Meal and Prize Giving: Sunday 14th October, 1pm

For further information, visit the official Southern Traverse Web site.

Hanmer Springs Attractions

Nestled in the foothills of the Southern Alps, the resort town of Hanmer Springs is an attractive year-round holiday destination well-known for its natural hot springs.

A 90-minute drive from Christchurch, Hanmer Springs is also gaining a reputation for its smorgasbord of outdoor activities available.

There are two ski fields within an hour's drive of Hanmer Springs with a range of runs to satisfy skiers of all grades. Or you can head into the forest and tackle one of the many hiking and mountain bike trails. Other adrenaline-pumping activities include bungy jumping, jet boating and whitewater rafting.

Follow the links for more information about attractions and activities in Hanmer Springs, as well as accommodation options in Hanmer Springs.